Surgical Tech Day in the Life 

I’m so grateful for people like you who make videos like this for people like me who are interested in this career but aren’t sure what it entails. So thank you, for helping me see what a surgical technician does.

At first I worked as a scrub nurse in pediatric cardiac surgery, then I graduated from medical school and become a pediatric surgeon in pediatric oncology.

I remember watching your videos last year and now look at me! I made it into the program and I can't wait to be a CST 🔪

I appreciate what you do so much! You work a full time job, are a father(I think) and still take the time to film and edit these videos for us.. you’re the best 😊

I remember watching your videos back in 2019 and I must say you were one big influence on me researching surgical tech schools. I joined the program in November 2019, started February 2020, and I am now doing my clinicals in a prestigious hospital and should graduate this September/October. I’m happy to say I’ve taken so much information you shared and are now applying it on my own cases. Thank you so very much for sharing all of your knowledge.

I'm a mom of 2 young boys & I'm finally enrolling myself into the Surgical Tech program 🙏 thank you so much for your helpful videos!

Videos like this one is helping me to get back into the groove of scrubbing. I'm so nervous about getting back into the field after four years..

This is pretty cool. I appreciate that he's taking the time to educate everyone on the scrub role. I'm not sure if I would say towards the end of the video that "that is basically it." Depending on where you work, it can be as easy as he says (outpatient surgical centers are more relaxed than trauma hospitals) or it can be more complicated. My first few years in Utah didn't prepare me well as far as learning trauma surgery (because the hospital rarely had trauma cases) but because of the rural nature, scrubs are taught and have a higher scope of practice compared to other populated states that regulate the scrub role. for example, I was taught how to first assist in Utah, but in Washington, I'm not allowed to do many of the first assist roles. However, I have had more practice with trauma cases on the coast. During downtime, you should be going over the rest of your cases, making sure you have the right supplies for them, studying the procedures if you don't know them well, etc. You are expected to be able to, at the very least, anticipate what the surgeon needs. You will be expected to learn the same procedures several different ways since every surgeon does them slightly different (that can be confusing at first). Take the time to realize how much wisdom that gives you. You are able to see surgeries performed in a myriad of ways for a long time. This gives you tons of information. You quickly realize what is efficient. The scrub role would have been a godsend for surgical medical students. Scrub techs that do continue their health career into either PA or Med School end up becoming amazing surgical PA's and Surgeons.

I’ll be scrubbing again in about a month after 7 years I’m super nervous. Your vids help so much with preparing.

Great video. I have shared this video with my 20 y/o son. He is going for Central Serv Tech training at a local city college.

Been a working certified surgical tech for nearly a year now and I can honestly say that this is so accurate on our days in the OR

thank you for uploading this looking to get back into school and become a surgical tech and this helps me know for sure if im going down the right path

I am a registered medical assistant and fell in love with the OR I am now in ST school so excited !!!

So very interesting. Just discovered this,and I can't get enough of it! A great career!

You make it look so easy. Cant wait to start my journey.

thank you so much for doing this video. I am starting in the spring to get all my prerequisite done so I can obtain my associates in surgical tech :) this just makes me even more excited!!!

Yess! Awesome video! Thanks from a surgical tech student

Great video! I am currently working on my pre reqs before I enter the surg tech program at my school. I cannot wait to start the program. Your videos really motivate me to work hard.

I finally made the decision to apply for surgical tech school! I really hope I get in, so fingers crossed!

Awesome video. I just finished my clinical in the OR. The surgical techs I worked with were all amazing 😁

That Evo cold start! Great video 👍

We watch your videos for our ST Classes, so informative, thank you. Appreciate you 🤙

Thank you for this video I work Evs at the hospital and I'm trying to level up in my career of becoming a Surgical Tech

I last scrubbed in 1980. It's amazing how much has remained the same. I now do video professionally, and really enjoyed your video.

About to start the program for this job, very excited

I remember doing my surgery rotation in LPN school. My hat is off to you. I had a hard time sitting still. I remember the surgical tech there. She was super sweet and highly skilled. I’d be nervous working with a surgeon. They were using some roto rooter to bust clots. The Rad tech was in there saying inject like 50 times lol.

Love watching your videos! I’m in my last 2 semesters of nursing school and got to have an OR rotation last semester. I loved it! So interesting to see how different and more fast-paced things are in the OR compared to Med Surg where I usually do my clinicals.

This inspired me so much thank you!!

Love this video! The new ending is great!

i have been debating whether to enroll in a surgical tech program, and i deff will be. thank you

I’ve been watching your videos pop up everyone in a while but now that I know you drive an evo i subscribed

Thanks for the info! Currently an LPN working med/surg thinking about crossing over into CST 🤔

Mom of 3 and in school to be an ST!!! 🏥

Great video and love the EVO!

my boyfriend starts the surgical tech program at our college soon & im so excited for him :)

Thank you for sharing

Behind the scenes of surgery!

Im starting school Monday . I can’t wait 😊

In many ways scrub tech is almost like Dental Assisting….I’ve been a DA for a few years and now work for a hospital scheduling for cardio pts. They have a in-house program for surgical tech and I’m hoping I get in!! 🙏🏾 Thank you for your videos!! ❤

Very cool,I enjoyed this a lot.

WOW!! that is awesome that your hospital provides you with laundered scrubs!! we have to buy our own (and launder them)...LOL...each position has a different color, nurses wear navy blue, CNAs wear maroon and for me right now I wear lavender, I think the surgical peeps wear shamrock green.... so I will be purchasing all new scrubs by next year! Thanks for the insight on your day, it was cool to picture what my day might be like!! Have a great weekend!! ~Amy

Love how you tune out the resident 😂

Your aseptic technique is on point lol

I’m in school for this right now graduate next summer💕

I was beginning to go for a special certification. And at somepoint. I was going to move up to a surgical technician.

thanks for the info man..

Nice edits man. I'll be watching more

Awesome can’t wait to start the Surgical tech college im july

Does the morning huddle involve surgeon input about the patients? I'm curious as where I work in the UK we don't open anything until after the team brief. We don't have a morning huddle though 🤔

thank you

One day I heard about this career and I went to a medical school for information. However I changed my mind about it because just felt I just couldn’t have the guts to do it and my English wasn’t good enough. Years later, I got a job in a random women’s center that I preferred to about the name. it was about abortions. I had no idea what I was going to deal with but I really needed the job for my financial situation at that time. I thought I was not going to be strong enough to do it. All my family members are Catholics and everyday l was having drama from them because I was doing it. (Believe me, I wasn’t enjoying it) but very inside of me I was exited about the surgical procedures, The room, the smart anesthesiologist anyway... since that day I’m working everyday to be an excellent surgical technologist with a big difference. I want to help people to continue living in this beautiful world! (Please don’t judge me )

What does a case consist of as a surgical tech? What’s the difference in your job versus surgical first assistant?

I work in a Trauma hospital, and like most techs I can scrub all cases. However, I have been, almost exclusively, a Neurosurgical Tech/First Assist with our neuro team, and started training with them about 2 months after graduation. Before college, I hit RU-vid and tried to watch as many videos like yours, which gave me an excitement factor in my future endeavor. UNFORTUNATELY, back then (8 years ago), RU-vid had SO LITTLE in choice videos that were like yours. I mean to say, the videos were all student or classroom information. So, the REALITY and ACTUAL WORK INSIGHTS of a working assist/tech, were nill. Maybe I saw 1 or 2 back then. Unfortunately my hospital will not permit phones (yeah right), but definitely will not tolerate video recording...despite the fact one COULD record and respect the HIPAA and being compliment. I urge any techs reading, especially in large cases , i.e. NEURO, EX-LAP, complex ORTHO, & VASCULAR, to make videos themselves. Although this is a basic video on the 'day and life' (however great), much more is needed for our growing field, and I STILL can't seem to find much SOLID VIDEOS. ESPECIALLY in length. Lastly, thank you all for being in service. Most Scrubs are proud peacocks, but most scrubs also know that we are often misrepresented, under-appreciated, and all this kind of "stuff" one learns....eventually. So step up and show the RU-vid viewers that, guess what? Oh you didn't know? Well we fucking kickasss and have mad skills and tricks, and are very intelligent individuals, etc. Yet the most powerful action we have, and is known by all O.R. personal, is this...if we (as a facility unit of techs) were to say, "strike....no raises, better this, less on call that, etc. Then we refuse to work TODAY, PERIOD!" - - - All surgical cases would be cancelled, and the hospital, Surgical department, etc. Would be F'd and thrown into a state of chaotic HELL. This is the WEIGHT OF OUR VALUE!

Damn I would kill for my day to be that easy! Breakfast, one case, no add ons.. where do you work? Sign me up!

Just want to say man, I'm in my last semester before clinicals and I watch your videos frequently. Honestly everytime I watch your videos I feel more and more ready and affirming of this career choice. Thank you for all of your videos they have been so much of a help !!! May the force be with you ( I noticed your computer desktop) 😂

I’m currently enrolled in a CNA program, and I’m trying to decide on what to do afterwards. I have two courses in mind LPN and Surg Tech. I’m having difficulty on which one should I go with? Can you enlighten me more on the differences/similarities with the two.

Awesome videos man

May you do a video on draping and drapes

So you can leave whenever you want to after you’re done with all the surgeries you’re scheduled for? I’m starting school in August to be a surgical tech and I’m really not sure if i can take it by watching somebody get cut open and seeing there insides, hopefully through schooling it’ll get easier. I was going into cardiovascular technology to be a technologist and technician, then go into sonography. but the school I’m already enrolled into, they guy rid of the CT program because of funding so i decided to go into surgical tech as a last minute and ive been trying to watch videos, look at information, etc.

A question for those who are currently or have worked as a surgical tech. What all do you do in order to prep the patient? I understand that you set up the room and are in the room while the surgery goes on to hand the surgeon tools, but I don't understand what the prepping of the patient involves.

i have a question !!! do you have to open the blade in the needle book ? that is what i have learned

Thank you for this. I'm 35 and always wanted to do something in the medical field. However 2-1/2 years is scary. Lol

Doin my preReqs and definitely, you are the motivation dude! Came across ur vids and can’t stop watchin them now! Thanks a lot! Will be watchin more! Btw, What kinda car u in?? 🤔 Saw the seats and heard ur car😂

Omg I’m not even trying to be disrespectful but you are soooooo handsome ❤️ thank you for this video!

Hi! I’m new to your page, so forgive me if these are repeat questions.... What are the typical working hours for a surgical tech? I know surgeries can be scheduled at different times, but is it typically day shifts? Do you work weekends? I know you posted a video showing that you advanced to surgical first assistant - Congrats! May I ask which you like better, not just in terms of more salary but the actual work itself? Pros and cons of each? If you made a video on all of this already, please let me know. Thank you!! & thanks so much for making these videos!!

Nice! Are there typically cases or shifts?

Cool job!

Would you please make a video on general instruments & how to tell the difference on some of them Please !!! !! 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

6am is alot later than I anticipated

Did you ever get your tires checked? pressure was low.

So you don't have a set schedule? It all depends on the number of cases you have? So if you had just one case, then your job is done for the day?

I am considering going into the field instead of pta so thank you for showing what it's really like!

Hey there! Do you have to be certified in order to obtain a position in this field? Im indecisive between surgical tech, Occupational Therapy Assistant, and Anesthesia Technology Program. Any tips would be appreciated. Thanks

I can tell you aren’t a morning person... neither am I. I think it’s the worst part about being a scrub tech, but I manage haha!

I am interested in knowing how many hours was your case and am average of how many hours do you have to work straight without a break and also do you sometimes have to work then go home and come back to work later that day or night?

The sticker on the locker behind you... LOL

Do you know going into your job how many cases you get a day? Or you go in not knowing. And does one case a day mean short workday and home early?

Hey how did you handle looking inside a person's body when you first started? I've considered becoming surgical tech for months but then I watched a video on an open heart surgery and I felt weirded out the entire time. I took a zoology class in high school and didn't mind. Not sure if that's comparable lol but it's my only point of reference aside from videos on real surgeries on people.

what do you do when there arent enough surgeries to keep you busy for your whole shift?

How many years of school? Do you need a certificate to do this or associates? I'm interested.

What do you think about profit colleges? Are they good as community college?

Good work 👍 Carry on

Do you assist in surgery? Like are you there when they operate? I want to become a tech but I’m weird about seeing the open body.

As a Deaf person, does it require communication or just set up it up then leave and come back again to clean it up?

I have a question. Could I earn an associates in surgical technology and then gain experience to be in the surgical assisting program? I read online that you have to either have a bachelors or an associates. If I were to get a bachelors, what would I have to study? I don’t think there’s a bachelors for surgical assisting.

Uh oh, distracted driving! Don't become a patient!

How long did it take you to obtain your certification and can you get hired before getting it?

I am a scrub nurse too in India. I love my job.

4:47 quick question: you opened up your room and then took a break? I'm about to enter the program and our instructors told us you want minimal time between opening the room and the actual procedure. Also, I'm guessing you re-scrubbed in after the break?

I start Monday. This will be my first time doing anything like this so I need all the info I can get!

I will like to do this. Any advice on how to get started.

Do you have to actually assist with anything hands on like sutures or do you just set up and hand surgical tools needed?

Did you go to rn school first or just go to surg tech school alone?

I’m still trying to understand if it’s better to just get the certificate or go for the AA! Some people say there’s no difference in pay

Evo mr ? Not related to video but noticed the cold start and Recaro seats jw lol

Hello. This heavy are instruments..???THANKS

Muy bueno !!!!

I will start my clinical placement (scrubbing) by the end of February. Any tips for first timer in operating room theatre? Thanks

Is this a job where you get to talk with patients/people and use social skills? Wondering if sonography or radiology might be better for social butterflies, but surgical techs work as a team and that is very essential for me. Thoughts?

Thank you for your videos. I appreciate what you are doing in explaining the life and events of a surgical tech. I have been a tech for about 12 years and I have become burned out. Is there a way to find the joy again or is it time to move on and find something else as a career?